BACKGROUND: Exposure to arsenic can occur through ingestion or inhalation of contaminated soil, increasing risk for cancer and other chronic health outcomes. A residential neighborhood in Kentucky located on a former lumber treatment facility site was found to have elevated levels of soil arsenic from improper disposal of lumber treatment waste. Emergency response was undertaken to conduct an exposure assessment.
METHODS: To identify exposure risk factors we administered an in-person survey to all residents; parents provided response for children. Arsenic level was analyzed in washed nail clipping samples self-collected from residents and residential soil samples. We used Pearson correlation (R) and Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney tests to assess association between arsenic level and exposures.
RESULTS: All 84 (100%) persons in all 19 households were surveyed. Seventy-six persons provided toenail samples; among 70 who had adequate mass for analysis, median age was 25 years (range: 1–68 years). Median arsenic in toenail samples was 0.42 micrograms/gram (µg/gm) (range: 0.04–6.97 µg/gm), twice the expected level of ≤0.2 µg/gm. Age was inversely correlated (R = –0.33, P = 0.01) and mean residence soil arsenic level positively correlated (R = 0.30, P = 0.01) with elevated toenail arsenic level. Playing sports outdoors (n=37) was positively associated (P = 0.03) with higher toenail arsenic levels.
CONCLUSIONS: Living in areas with high soil arsenic contamination can lead to increased exposure; younger age, playing sports outdoors, and elevated residence soil arsenic level were associated with elevated toenail arsenic level. Correlation between younger age and higher arsenic levels is possibly attributable to soil exposure through activities. Due to ongoing remediation efforts, recommendations to residents include moving from the contaminated environment and regular health care follow-up.